In among all the science fiction and fantasy elements are some choice bits of philosophical musings -- everything you'd hope from a geniusgrandmaster of science fiction. It includes everything from the quest for perfect happiness to the evolution of society, as well as questions of romance, beauty, and the desire for knowledge and learning.

And there is so much wonderful wordplay in this book, too. Sometimes pages and pages of Lem having fun playing with language. Originally written in Polish, under the name "Cyberiada," the (extremely good) English translation is by Michael Kandel.

"The Cyberiad" is a long and daunting book, partly because of its reputation, partly because it's so impressively rich in the language it uses. But it still reads pretty quickly -- it's easy for the reader to get pulled along as Lem plays around with words, philosophy, humor, and genre twists. You should pick it up and give it a read.